Thuja plant named ‘4EVER’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Thuja  plant named ‘4EVER’ that is characterized by an upright habit, light green leaves that turn yellow below 5 degrees Centigrade and sheds very few leaves.

Botanical classification: Thuja plicata.

Variety denomination: ‘4EVER’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Thujaplant botanically known as Thuja plicata and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘4EVER’.

The new cultivar was discovered in 2002 in a cultivated area ofSteensel, The Netherlands. ‘4EVER’ was discovered as a single plantgrowing within a population of plants of Thuja plicata ‘Martin’ (notpatented). The exact parents are unknown.

Asexual reproduction by softwood cuttings of the new cultivar ‘4EVER’first occurred in 2002 in Steensel, The Netherlands. Since that time,under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newThuja cultivar ‘4EVER’.

-   -   1. Thuja ‘4EVER’ exhibits an upright habit.    -   2. Thuja ‘4EVER’ exhibits light green leaves that turn yellow        below 5 degrees Centigrade.    -   3. Thuja ‘4EVER’ sheds very few leaves.

The closest comparison cultivar is Thuja ‘Zabrina Gold’ (not patented).The new cultivar ‘4EVER’ is distinguishable from ‘Zabrina Gold’ by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘4EVER’ has less dense branches and foliage than ‘Zabrina        Gold’.    -   2. ‘4EVER’ has light green leaves. The leaves of ‘Zabrina Gold’        are more yellow.

The new cultivar ‘4EVER’ is distinguishable from Thuja ‘Martin’ by thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘4EVER’ has light green leaves.    -   2. The leaves of ‘Martin’ do not turn yellow below 5 degrees        Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofThuja ‘4EVER’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 5year old plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniquesand although colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Thuja cultivar named‘4EVER’. Data was collected in Steensel, The Netherlands from 5 year oldfield grown plants. The time of year was Fall. No photoperiodictreatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies. ‘4EVER’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: Thuja plicata ‘4EVER’.-   Use: Ornamental.-   Parentage: ‘4EVER’ was discovered as a single plant growing within a    population of plants of Thuja plicata ‘Martin’ (not patented). The    exact parents are unknown.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Average 22.5 cm per year.-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Plant shape: Conical.-   Suitable container size: Field grown.-   Height: Average 114 cm.-   Width: Average 59.5 cm.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 6.-   Propagation: Softwood cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots (summer and winter): Approximately 56 days to    produce roots on an initial cutting.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Main stems grow from base and have lateral            branches.        -   Basal branching.—Yes.        -   Average number of lateral branches.—23.        -   Pinching.—No.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—5 mm. in diameter.        -   Lateral branch length.—32.1 cm. in length.        -   Lateral branch strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Internode length.—1.2 cm.        -   Stem appearance.—Rounded, covered with scale-like leaves,            dull and smooth.        -   Stem aspect.—Rounded, covered with scale-like leaves.        -   Stem strength.—Strong.        -   Stem color.—N199B, older stems N199D.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Foliage:    -   -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Leaf shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute to short apiculate.        -   Leaf base.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf length.—Average 4.8 mm in length.        -   Leaf width.—2 mm in width.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—Average 2,000.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Vein pattern.—Veins are not visible.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—15A; apexes N167A.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—15A; apexes N167A.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—143A to 144A to 144B.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—143B to 144A to 144B.        -   Veins.—Veins not visible.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sessile.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Very high.        -   Fragrance.—Western red cedar fragrance when crushed.-   Flower: Flowering has not been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: ‘4EVER’ has not been observed for    disease or pest resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Thuja plant named ‘4EVER’ as describedand illustrated.